After undergoing bilateral knee replacement surgery as part of Operation Walk 2013, Morristown resident Todd Patterson, 48, is shown here in the rehabilitation facility on Monmouth's Medical Center's Orthopaedic Unit with his surgeon, David L. Chalnick, M.D., medical director of Monmouth Medical Center's Joint Replacement Center, and the unit's clinical director Dana Delatush. Todd is expected to spend the next two weeks as an inpatient rehabilitation patient.

Long Branch, NJ – Todd Patterson, the 48-year-old carpenter from Morristown who underwent successful complex, bilateral knee replacement surgery at Monmouth Medical Center on December 5 as part of Operation Walk 2013, was discharged December 9 to HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Tinton Falls.

Todd’s knee problems, initially caused by a motorcycle accident nearly 20 years ago, had worsened over the past two decades as a result of job-related trauma and the onset of arthritis, leaving him in debilitating pain every day. As part of Operation Walk, David L. Chalnick, M.D., an orthopaedic and joint replacement surgeon and medical director of Monmouth Medical Center’s Joint Replacement Center, led a team of volunteer medical professionals in an innovative surgery to correct that damage.

“Normal knees are slightly knock-kneed, but Todd had bilateral severe bowlegged deformities. I performed knee replacement surgery on both knees – essentially reshaping his legs – to correct his severe deformity and allow Todd to walk more normally and pain free,” said Dr. Chalnick, who also participated in Operation Walk last year as a way to give back to patients.

Five days post-op, Todd, who has been unable to work because of the severity of his condition, said he has very little pain and was looking forward to rehabilitating his surgically repaired knees and returning to work.

“Monmouth Medical Center prides itself on providing quality medical care for all our patients. Through programs like Operation Walk and the kindness and compassion of our dedicated physicians such as Dr. Chalnick, we’re able to provide this high quality care to patients in need,” said Frank J. Vozos, MD, FACS, President and Chief Executive Officer at Monmouth Medical Center.

“Helping someone to walk again, and to return to a life without pain, is indeed a cause worth celebrating,” said orthopaedic surgeon Adolph V. Lombardi, Jr., MD, president of Operation Walk USA. “With the start of the holiday month this was also a timely way for orthopaedic surgeons and other healthcare staff participating in Operation Walk USA to give back in a profoundly meaningful way to their own communities.”

All services are being donated as part of Operation Walk USA 2013. Harnessing a national network of volunteer hospitals, physicians, nurses, physical therapists and others, Operation Walk USA is committed to helping those in need by restoring their mobility, self-dignity, productivity and helping them return to their social work.

About Monmouth Medical Center
Located in Long Branch, N.J., Monmouth Medical Center, a Barnabas Health facility, along with The Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center, is one of New Jersey's largest academic medical centers and has been a teaching affiliate of Philadelphia’s Drexel University College of Medicine for more than 40 years. From its earliest days, Monmouth Medical Center has been a leader in surgical advancement and has introduced many technological firsts to the region, including robotic surgery and other minimally invasive techniques. The hospital is routinely recognized by HealthGrades, the nation’s largest premier independent health care quality company, for excellence in both emergency medicine and maternity care. U.S. News & World Report has recognized Monmouth as a regional leader in cancer, geriatrics, gynecology, neurology and neurosurgery. For more information on Monmouth Medical Center, visit www.barnabashealth.org.